Enter the hypnotic sound-world of C(or)N(e)T – the new collaboration betweeen cornet players, inventors and virtuoso musical wizards Pierre Bastien & Louis Laurain. Recorded in residence at The Rose Hill studios in 2023 this utterly unique album is a kind of electro-acoustic Fiesta! At times it’s a combination of organic techno and free jazz, like a joyful train ride through a mechanised junglescape.. Their set up is wildly creative and full of modified objects: automaton cornet mutes, underwater trumpets, revolving wooden flutes, coat hanger harps and paintbrush heads that rotate and play ‘brushes’ on contact-mic-drums to name a few.
Where so much experimental music can be a bit earnest these two find a light-hearted joy in collaboration. The album is full of humour, the duo delighting in each others bizarre sounds, musically bouncing off each other with glee, and it’s infectious. Virtuosity shines on tracks like Sin Ti: cyclical cross-rhythms and hammered trumpets – Louis’ extended techniques conjuring Evan Parker on acid, all cornet wails and clambering beats. Or take Sea Shanty – a gentle meander through their cornet ecosystem, evoking throat singing, scuttling creatures and distant bassoons. This extraordinary album deserves deep and repeated listening..!
Pierre Bastien barely needs introduction, he is one of a kind, known for creating his own army of sonic contraptions and automatons. He has a vast array of previous collaborators: notably fashion designer Issey Miyake, singer and composer Robert Wyatt and Aphex Twin (who released three of his albums on his label Rephlex), and is one of the most influential experimental musicians working in the field.
“A Mad Musical Scientist!” – The Guardian
Louis Laurain is a french virtuoso trumpet player. His work lies at the borders of experimental music, electro-acoustics, Jazz, traditional music, visual and performative arts. He has collaborated with Eliane Radigue, Stephen O’Malley and zombie zombie amongst others.
